The Arizona Diamondbacks have claimed outfielder Matt Tuiasosopo off waivers from the Detroit Tigers.AP File Photo

Outfielder Matt Tuiasosopo spent the entire 2013 season with the Detroit Tigers. He will spend the 2014 season elsewhere.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have claimed Matt Tuiasosopo off waivers, the Tigers announced Friday afternoon.

It seems likely that the Tigers will give rookie outfielder Nick Castellanos every opportunity to win a roster spot during spring training, which meant Tuiasosopo likely would have been the odd man out at that point anyway.

If Castellanos ends up on the roster, he will be used -- at the least -- as a platoon player against left-handed pitchers. With Austin Jackson in center and Torii Hunter in right, the Tigers may not carry another outfielder who hits right-handed.

Tuiasosopo was a major surprise during spring training when he came out of seemingly nowhere to win a roster spot. He hit .244 with seven home runs and 30 RBIs in 81 games for the Tigers. Those numbers were all career highs for Tuiasosopo, who played three partial seasons for the Seattle Mariners before joining the Tigers.

Tuiasosopo struggled down the stretch. He went 0-for-20 with 13 strikeouts in September and was left off the playoff roster in the Division Series and Championship Series.

Tuiasosopo made two brief comments via his Twitter account later in the day Friday:

My family and I Feel very blessed to of been part of @tigers family, thank you for all the love today and this year! Honor to wear the D....